El Niño Relief: Sri Lanka says Rs. 3 billion is set aside for El Niño crop-damage compensation, with payments starting today for Polonnaruwa and finishing by Sept. 15. Drought Response: Papua New Guinea communities in Mitnande report hope as rain returns after four months of El Niño-linked drought, with farmers replanting native crops and coffee. Smart Farming in Soybeans: China’s Heilongjiang city of Bei’an is using drones and a big-data command center to monitor soybean crops, pests, weather and soil to stabilize yields and cut costs. Animal Health Watch: Australia confirms its first H5N1 bird flu case in Sydney (a greater crested tern), urging pet-bird and poultry owners to avoid contact with wild birds. Policy Pressure on Farms: UK lawmakers urge the PM to reverse “Family Farm Tax” changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, warning of a farm crisis. Ag Tech Trade Link: Vietnam launches an online wholesale platform to connect Vietnamese produce with Singapore buyers, aiming to start operations by end-September. Infrastructure for Water & Food: Oregon begins work to refurbish the Wallowa Lake Dam, targeting better irrigation and safer flood control while supporting sockeye salmon migration. US Biosecurity: Chicago CBP seized 13,683 prohibited plant and animal items in a smuggling scheme, including soil, seeds and pork, lacking proper permits.